Page 52 of Rogue Games

When I got to her, she tried to fight me off. She might have been confused, but maybe she has good reason to be afraid.

While Callum catches his breath, I scan the trees behind him for any signs of movement. It’s nearly impossible to see more than a few yards away, and the rain has washed away any traces of scent.

Anyone could be watching and waiting.

“Check the rope,” I snarl, needing to be certain before my protective instincts cause me to act prematurely. My wolf is barely keeping it together, frantic at the thought of her being out here hurt, afraid and alone.

It’s possible there was a lightning strike, or some other freak event, that damaged the rope. Jamie could just be scared and lashing out.

Until I know for sure this wasn’t just a freak accident, I can’t go on a rampage, much as I want someone to pay for this.

I stare down at Jamie’s face, her features pinched, even in sleep, and it’s not making me feel any better. She’s hurt, and it makes me want to kick every single person off my territory and burn the Alpha Games to the ground.

Callum returns, expression grim, and I know. Someone did this, and they’re going to live to regret attacking someone on my territory.

Not just someone. Jamie.

Looking down at her exquisite features, the full lips, the dark lashes, my hard heart cracks just a little. Even if she’s a pain in the ass, I want her. More than that, I crave her. And my wolf wants to burn down the entire world to find out who’s fault this is.

“What do we do now?” Callum asks, raising a hand to his forehead to shield his eyes from the rain. We shifted and ran here at full speed, but we can’t carry her back as wolves, and she’s in no fit condition to shift.

I force back a growl as I spot the splashes of bright red blood mixed in with the thick brown dirt stuck to her hair.

“You go back and find Joel. Ask him who and what he saw. If he lies, lock him in the dungeon.”

He was acting weird. He definitely knows something.

“Make sure he knows that if he doesn’t tell us willingly, I’ll get it from him by any means necessary.” He has no idea what I’m capable of.

Callum nods solemnly. “What about Jamie?”

Scanning the lake, I frown at the black and choppy water, lit up by bolts of lightning and glimpses of moonlight. There’s no way she’ll make it all the way back around. She’s deathly cold, and she can’t change into her wolf to heal until her dislocated shoulder is back in the right place.

“She needs to get warm. You deal with him. I’ll take care of her.” Much as I’d love to take out some of my anger on him, making sure Jamie’s okay comes before everything else.

Callum eyes me dubiously. “Are you sure it wouldn’t be better the other way around?”

I snarl, clutching her to my chest possessively and backing away from my beta. I’m sure my wolf is showing in my eyes as I growl, crouching low, ready to fight him if I have to.

“I swear, Callum, touch her and I’ll kill you.”

His intentions are honourable, but there’s no fucking way I’m letting her go. I already warned him what I’d do if he tried to get near her.

CALLUM: Fuck Dean. Is she…? This isn’t normal.

Normal?

I know it’s not.

DEAN: I need to get her warm and safe. NOW. I can’t think about anything else while she’s in this condition.

With a sigh, Callum holds his hands up in surrender and steps back, abandoning his line of questioning.

For now.

He looks concerned about the two of us in equal measure, and I don’t blame him. Holding her against my body, the strength of the emotions swirling around inside me is staggering. And yet, my wolf still gives no indication he’s claiming her as his.

With the back of his hand, Callum swipes a filthy hand across his forehead to clear the water running into his eyes. “Can you pop it back in?” he asks, eyes locked on her limp arm, steering our conversation onto safer territory.

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